Lincoln almost assassinated

In 1863, Lincoln was almost assassinated. He was on a stroll at night on his horse going back to his house, when a shot rang out. He was later seen riding on his horse without his hat on. He explained that someone shot at him and it startled the horse. Guards went to retrieve his hat and found a bullet shot through it. Lincoln said not to tell anyone because he didn't want to worry his wife. What would have happened if that shot had killed Lincoln? Would the South have won the war?

Naval Improvements

In this war, naval combat improved greatly. Armored ships were introduced in the battle of Merrimack vs. Monitor. This made naval combat see new massive improvements as iron-clad ships came into play. War became more deadly. This is a significant event from the civil war in not only Americam history, but for the world.

Social Changes

With the end of the Civil War, slavery was finally over. African Americans were now free and had the right to be part of society. Also, during the period of Reconstruction, sectional tensions rose. In the North, people were split between wanting to help the south or not at all. In the South, people were either convinced that they could still win the war that was already over, or that they needed the North's help. The American view changed in each section.

Photography

The Civil War was the first American war with photographs. This invention helped give the American people a look into the life of a soldier and the aftermath of battles. People could find a deeper connection with the war itself. It was something they could see now. This is the war that the people knew about the most because of the documented pictures. The horrors of the war now had some sort of purpose within the lives of everyday citizens. This beautiful innovation of photography made war a part of everyones life.

Lincoln's Assassination

Abraham Lincoln, arguably the greatest President of the United States, was the first one to be assassinated. The effect that this had on the american people was tremendous. To have the famous Abraham Lincoln killed is an event that is crucial to American history. He was appreciated and respected in all corners of America. He was the South's hope for peaceful reconstruction from the North and the North praised him as a great leader. Once he was killed, the hatred for the south increased and the Radical Republicans came forth. They now had even more of a desire to punish the South. Lincoln's death created a new mindset for all of America.

General Robert E. Lee's decline

As the southern states first began to secede, President Lincoln asked Colonel Robert E. Lee to command the entire Union army against the Confederacy. Lee is regarded as one of the greatest generals and his efforts towards stopping the South would have made this war completely different. However, he declined the offer. He felt that his duty was to his home in the southern state of Virginia. He then became one of the Unions greatest challenges in the war. This shows the American culture of loyalty. He remained loyal to his home. Many people in the war fought for the ideals of whichever side that they were on, but many also stayed where they were to defend what they had.

Casualties

The Civil War is the single bloodiest war in American History from the Revolution to today. Over 1.5 million casualites were reported for the war. Also, people with post-traumatic problems during and after the war were not accounted for in casualties. They were left uncared for. With 2% of the population at the time dead with a number of about 620,000, that would be about 6 million people today. Families were probably ruined by the loss of the brothers, fathers, and sons. Americans are all aware of this war and the effect it had on history. All of these casualties were people that were prepared to give their lives for their cause. The Southern soldiers fought for their way of life and what they thought was right, but many of them died, the South losing what they gave their lives for. The North lost soldiers just to prove that their ways were correct. The 1.5 million lives lost, shocking many Americans, could not have been avoided. A diplomatic solution would have been the best, but the war was inevitable.